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Social auditors have their way

Special Correspondent

Audit work begins in Jhalwar district of Rajasthan
Auditors were earlier abused, assaulted in the area

JAIPUR: Undeterred by violent attacks on the teams trying to conduct social audit, Rozgar Evum Suchna Ka Adhikar Abhiyan activists set out for select panchayats in Manohar Thana block of Jhalwar district in Rajasthan on Tuesday to start verification of records pertaining to works under the much talked about National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).

The visits were undertaken after a day of prolonged negotiations and dialogue among the Abhiyan members, the Administration, and representatives of opposing groups such as the Sarpanch Sangh on Monday.

The teams were earlier abused, hit by lathis and stones and dragged through the roads when they tried to enter villages.

The social audit of NREGS works resumed peacefully with eight teams – five social audit teams, one research team and two “mobile” teams – going round five panchayats. NREG Council member and social activist Aruna Roy also visited the villages as part of one of the mobile teams.

Police have since registered six cases in connection with the assault on activists in Banskhedi, Guradi and Banskheda villages. Those attacked included noted economist Jean Dreze, who came to Manohar Thana to take part in the dharna staged since January 29 demanding photocopies of works carried out under the scheme.

Each team visiting the panchayats on Tuesday was accompanied by a senior government official and a police patrol car. Twelve camera teams – six each from the district administration and the Abhiyan – also went along with the audit teams.

“There were no untoward incidents reported during today’s visits. On the contrary, the teams were welcomed in the villages and led to the worksites, where they met and spoke to a number of labourers without constraints,” said Abhiyan member Suchi Pandey.

The Jhalawar Collector, Superintendent of Police and Sub-Divisional Magistrate were stationed at Manohar Thana – falling in the Lok Sabha constituency of Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje’s son Dushyant Singh – to look after the law and order situation.

Strict security arrangements have been made to protect the Abhiyan activists.

The decision to resume the social audit was taken at a meeting in the SDM’s office on Monday evening.

Senior officers, Manohar Thana MLA Jagannath Verma, Pradhan of Panchayat Samiti, seven Sarpanches, Sarpanch Sangh president and Abhiyan representatives attended the meeting, where the concerns of both the sides were discussed and sorted out.

A silent protest march to condemn the violent incidents was also taken out in the evening. Activists marched from Agarwal Dharmshala, where they are stationed, to the SDM’s office, holding banners with slogans such as “Hamara Nara Bhaichara” (our motto, brotherhood).

Ms. Aruna Roy told The Hindu over telephone from Manohar Thana that the social audit was not aimed at highlighting the negative factors alone but was intended to ensure that funds under the NREGS reach the truly poor in villages:

“It will guarantee the good health of the flagship scheme and ensure transparency in its implementation.”

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